Artists who want to reproduce their work or print digital works can choose from a variety of fine art inkjet papers. The weight, material, finish, and texture of the papers, as well as special properties such as ultraviolet coatings, are used to classify them. The majority of fine art inkjet papers are made of cotton rag, linen, or synthetic fibers and are heavier than standard printing paper. Glossy, semi-glossy, or matte finishes are available. Surface textures can range from ultra-smooth and glassy to raised and rough, akin to a canvas.
Many fine art papers are made of cotton rag and have been treated or bleached to display a wider range of colors. Cotton rag has a longer life span than traditional pulp fiber papers and can withstand a variety of coatings and treatments. Cotton rag is used by many artists who create giclee art prints because it has a similar look and feel to traditional art papers.
Fine art inkjet papers come in three different finishes. A gloss finish, like photo paper, is highly reflective and shiny. Semi-gloss papers, also known as satin papers, are less shiny but still extremely fine. Matte finishes have a very slight sheen to them, especially once they’ve been printed on, and they have almost no reflective properties. The finish is not as noticeable when framed behind glass as it is when viewed in the open.
The pressing process determines the surface texture of many fine art inkjet papers. The surface of cold-pressed papers has some tooth, whereas the surface of hot-pressed papers is much smoother. Some papers have a rough texture similar to canvas or watercolor paper. The artist’s choice of paper has a significant impact on the final appearance of a work and is thus an important decision.
The weight of the paper is another factor to consider. Art papers are typically thicker than regular paper. Some of them are so thick that they can’t be printed with a curved paper roller in an inkjet printer. Specialty papers that mimic watercolor or canvas are typically thicker than other papers.
Coatings can be applied to fine art inkjet papers in a variety of ways. UV protection, which helps to increase light fastness, and special coatings, which help to improve the visible color gamut, are the most common. Iridescent finishes and waterproof coatings, for example, are more uncommon.
Alternatives to the most commonly used paper types exist. Alpha cellulose is a synthetic fiber that can be used as a long-lasting substitute for cotton. Some “papers” are actually sheets of silk, cotton, or linen that can be printed. Papers can be tinted to look like warm or cool whites, or they can be a solid color. For more unique applications, more exotic holographic papers and translucent mylars are also available.